barber

1 of 2

noun

bar·​ber ˈbär-bər 

: one whose business is cutting and dressing hair, shaving and trimming beards, and performing related services

barber

2 of 2

verb

barbered; barbering ˈbär-b(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to perform the services of a barber for : trim or groom the hair or beard of

intransitive verb

: to perform the services of a barber

Synonyms

Noun

• haircutter
• hairdresser
• hairstylist
• stylist

Examples of barber in a Sentence

Noun

He goes to a barber downtown.

went to the barber to get his hair cut and his beard trimmed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

So rather than having to pay up front for schooling, cosmetologists and barbers can start earning money quickly and work their way up the ladder. —Andrew Wimer, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

Videos posted to TikTok, Instagram and X in recent weeks show men braving blades very close to their eyes, in barber shops from Turkey to New Zealand, in a quest for stubby lashes. —Nicole Mowbray, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025

Verb

The Bills’ barbering operation grew with coiffeur Jesse Ciffa coming aboard in 2019. —Tim Graham, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025

In the Italian culture and tradition, where the art of barbering dates back thousands of years, barbers have long been central figures and skilled professionals, and their shops social hubs. —Andrea Onate, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French barbour, from barbe beard — more at barb

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for barber

• arbor
• arbour
• harbor
• harbour

Kids Definition

barber

noun

bar·​ber

ˈbär-bər

: a person whose business is cutting and dressing hair and shaving beards

barber verb

Etymology

Noun

Middle English barber "barber," from early French barbour (same meaning), derived from Latin barba "beard" — related to barb

Biographical Definition

Barber

biographical name

Bar·​ber ˈbär-bər 

Samuel 1910–1981 American composer